Travel can be hard on people, especially on senior citizens or those with medical conditions that might be harder to attend to while on the road. This is why there is a growing industry of travel companions, professionals who travel along with older travelers to make sure that they can get where they want to go and have the help they might need in order to do that.
At this time there aren’t many companies in this field, but there are a few out there that can help elderly people who want to travel continue to do so, despite the problems that often come with age. Today’s senior citizens are increasingly willing to travel, and many don’t want to be sequestered at home when there is a whole world out there to explore still.
Hiring a travel companion is not cheap. The traveler has to pay for the companion’s airfare, hotel rooms, and any other incidental fees such as the cost of organized tours, and costs can easily add up to $10,000 or more. Taking care of elderly family members can be a full-time job, so it’s not surprising that hiring someone to do that would be expensive.
Travelers are also paying for expertise and quality. Finding the right companion is key, and balancing cost with the personality of the companions themselves is important. Issues like insurance, medical training, and a number of other factors can come up as well, and it’s important to inquire about that about before hiring someone. It’s also important to get references before entrusting an elderly relative’s care to a traveling companion or a company that provides companion services.
If you can afford to hire a travel companion, the whole process can lead to some wonderful memories for senior citizens who might not otherwise get the opportunity to travel.